Alexandre Lacazette future at Arsenal: Noel Whelan has said there are chances Arsenal will hand a new contract to Alexandre Lacazette because of his recent performances.
The Frenchman scored the winning goal against Wolves and has been a good leader in Mikel Arteta’s team. With his contract set to expire in six month’s time, he’s free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he is willing to take the gamble and wait until the end of the season before deciding on Lacazette’s fate as the focus now is qualifying for the Champions League this season.
But, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan believes Arteta must U-turn on his decision to delay negotiations.
“He’s got a part to play beyond this summer, for sure,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He is still putting in these top performances and showing this professionalism despite his contract situation and despite what happened with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“He has got some real character about him. Arteta must be looking and thinking: ‘How can I let a player like this go.’
“He’s stepped up to be a real leader in this Arsenal side. He’s taken the responsibility and that’s commendable considering all the speculation about his future.
“It will be hard to ignore not only the performances but also the character and attitude he’s shown. He could stay yet.”
Earlier last week, Mikel Arteta praised his striker work rate, dedication and perseverance: “He is doing a lot of things right in attack… needs to continue to do that”
Meanwhile, Lacazette has been quite about his future at Arsenal but has maintained focus and commitment to the team and the course of a top-four finish with Mikel Arteta willing to gamble and wait until the end of the season before offering him an extension.
‘There is a chance (Lacazette signs a new deal), but we have decisions to make on three or four players in regards to the summer,’ Arteta said.
‘Starting those conversations right now, I don’t think is the right way.
‘We have spoken to all the players, what to expect, the freedom that they have because the contracts allow them to make any decisions, and with our position there.
‘That’s what we are going to do. At the end of the season, we will sit down and decide what’s the best for all the parties.’
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny and striker Eddie Nketiah are in the same boat as Lacazette, with the pair’s contracts also expiring this summer.
